On this week’s BBC Newscast, Ed Miliband was asked whether he thinks Labour has failed to convince the public that Boris mishandled the pandemic given the average Tory poll lead. Miliband opined “there is an inevitable and understandable rallying around the government”, however in time there will be better opportunities for Labour to start cutting through in the polls. According to Adam Fleming, just seconds after Ed made this prediction, YouGov’s latest poll came out…
If this is how the public reacts to a budget raising taxes to their highest level since the 1960s, Labour should be in despair.
Over the weekend we learned that ailing Sir Keir has hauled in Lord Mandelson to help reset his leadership after polling began to turn sour. Mandelson reportedly “held online calls with members of Starmer’s team and the shadow cabinet”. Guido can imagine how tense some of those calls might have been, given how Labour figures decried the Prince of Darkness not so long ago…
Now-Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband called Lord Mandelson “his own worst spin doctor”, and even suggested the former master of spin should leave politics altogether, saying it was “time for a new generation” in the Labour Party. Has he changed his mind?
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also chimed in at the time, saying “Peter loves the spotlight but it’s time to leave the stage.” Guido’s sure that Mandy’s new advice will be warmly welcomed from all quarters…
This morning, Shadow BEIS Secretary Ed Miliband used his Andrew Marr appearance to rail against the new coal mine opening in Cumbria, saying it shouldn’t open as it undermines the UK’s ability to take a lead against climate change. Miliband’s tried a lot of rebranding over the last few years, however his coal outrage takes the biscuit, having lobbied on the industry’s behalf in parliament for over a decade:
Miliband now being considered one of Labour’s best media performers should be seen as the canary in the coal mine for the party’s election prospects…
ICYMI: Covid ‘is a gift that keeps on giving’ says ally of Sir Keir Starmer
UPDATE: Listen to the original Lord Falconer comment below:
Ed Miliband tells Sky News:
“I like a scotch egg but I won’t be eating one publicly…”